Michigan Moonshot will provide help to bridge the digital divide in Southeast Michigan and provide equitable access to the Internet.
The digital divide in Michigan is being addressed with the expansion of free Wi-Fi access at more than 50 community locations across the state’s southeast.
The project is part of Merit Network’s Michigan Moonshot initiative and is supported by contributions from the Toyota USA Foundation and Cisco.
“For thousands of students across the state of Michigan, the pandemic has introduced new challenges or highlighted existing ones. We expect this to help both rural and urban communities access the Internet for basic informational needs,” said Charlotte Bewersdorff, Merit Network’s Vice President for Community Engagement.
The project will provide community organizations with the technological ability to extend their existing Internet connectivity through Wi-Fi networks which are accessible outside buildings.
Detroit Public Library will extend its Wi-Fi network beyond the walls of nine sites, during normal business hours. Washtenaw Intermediate School District is co-ordinating 30 different access points at area schools and community partners across the county.
“It is our responsibility as business leaders to step up and mobilize the tools and innovations at our disposal to help curtail the growing disparities in our communities caused by the digital divide,” said Nick Michaelides, Senior Vice President, US Public Sector at Cisco.
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